THE GOD OF PEACE .

 

FEBRUARY 5
 
Hebrews 13:20
Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead
our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep,
through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

 

 

Through the precious blood of Jesus, God is fully pacified towards us, and perfectly reconciled to us.

 

He is the peaceful God. We have nothing to fear from him, but may expect every blessing which we plead for in the name of Jesus.

 

He was angry with us, but his anger is turned away, and he comforts us.

 

He is at peace with us, and we are at peace with him.

 

He seeks our welfare, and we seek to promote his glory. What a sweet view of Jehovah is this!

 

“THE GOD OF PEACE.”

 

As such, let us approach him, pour our hearts before him, exercise confidence in him, and anew commit ourselves unreservedly into his hands.

 

He has accepted the finished work of Jesus for us, he brought him again from the dead, he placed him at his own right hand in heavenly places, and he delights to bless our souls for his sake.

 

He will never be more at peace with us than he is at this moment; though we may more confidently believe it, and more sweetly enjoy it.

 

The resurrection of Jesus our substitute, proves that he is fully satisfied; and the gift of the Holy Spirit shows that he delights to do us good.

 

Beware therefore of mistaken views, or hard thoughts of God.

 

He is “THE GOD OF PEACE.”

 
O God of peace! to me impart
The quiet, peaceful frame:
Sprinkle the blood upon my heart,
And there engrave thy name.
 

James Smith

 

SEE THAT YE BE NOT TROUBLED .

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

FEBRUARY 4
 
Matthew 24:6
And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars:
see that ye be not troubled: for all these things
must come to pass, but the end is not yet. -

 

That is agitated,-anxious,-dejected,-confused,-or alarmed.

 

See that you meet troubles with courage, endure them with patience and fortitude, and yield entire submission to God.

 

The world may be troubled, for all things that concern you are appointed by infinite wisdom and love; 

you are safe in my hand; I shall always be with you, to keep you from evil; 

your trials will be moderate, so that you will be able to bear them; 

every event will be directed to work you good; 

and if you are troubled you will dishonour me. 

Therefore watch, pray, and guard against anxiety and dejection.

 

But, how can we prevent being troubled? 

Believe me word of promise,-walk close by my side,-whisper all your fears into my ear-cast all your cares and burdens at my feet,-look aften to the end of your trials-expect the support necessary to bear them from a faithful, a present God,-and remember, you are one with me.

 

Beloved, we are always safe if we are with Jesus. 

You should endeavour to be composed, for he bids you, and bids you in love.

 

O let my trembling soul be still,
And wait thy wise, they holy will,
I cannot, Lord! thy purpose see,
Yet all is well-since ruled by thee.
 

James Smith

 

I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK

 

EVENING DEVOTION by James Smith

FEBRUARY 3
 
Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
 

The believer is a racer.

 

He has a prize set before him, even the perfection of knowledge, holiness, and happiness.

 

His course is marked out by God’s holy word. It lies through difficulties, foes, and trials. He has a mark on which to fix his eye, at which to aim; to arrive at which he should daily strive.

 

His mark is Jesus in his holy exemplary life.

 

We aim to be like him.

 

To oppose sin, overcome Satan, conqueror the world, bear troubles, endure trails, and do good, as he did. He ran his race, keeping “the joy set before him” in view; he arrived at his mark, won his crown, and is now seated as conqueror at God’s right hand.

 

He is our pattern and example.

 

On him the eye and the heart should be set, after conformity to him we should press; laying aside every weight, and the easily besetting sin, we should run the race set before us, looking unto Jesus.

 

We should, like the apostle, pursue one object, keep to the point, press toward the mark.

 

This will ensure the prize, for Jesus says, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”

 
The moment we begin our race,
We must the Saviuor’s cause embrace,
Press toward the mark, the prize obtain,
And then with Christ in glory reign.
 

James Smith

 

ABBA FATHER

 
FEBRUARY 2
 
Romans 8:15
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again
to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

 

The same Spirit that leads us to seek for mercy as poor sinners, afterwards leads us to claim relationship with God as his beloved children.

 

He unfolds Jehovah’s gracious character, draws out and fixes the desires of the soul upon him, sheds abroad his love in the heart, and then we cry, “My Father. My Father.”

 

To the privilege of adoption, we were predestinated before the world began; but we can only know interest in it, or claim and enjoy that interest, as we are taught by the Holy Spirit.

 

As the Spirit of adoption,

   he enlarged the heart,

   elevates the desires,

   sanctifies the spirit,

   ennobles the aims,

   guides into the truth, and

   leads out the soul in free and familiar fellowship with God.

 

He imparts holy peace, deepens penitence, and fills with glowing gratitude.

 

Under his influences, prayer becomes a delightful, meditation profitable, and the ordinances of the gospel yield us pleasure.

 

Have you the Spirit of adoption?

 

Do you feel led to approach God as a child does its father?

 

Do you look upon the word as a volume sent from a father to his child, to instruct, reprove, and comfort him; and do you read it as such?

 

Send forth the Spirit of thy Son,
Of God, into my panting heart,
That govern’d by the love alone,
From thee I never may depart.
 

James Smith

 

A PEOPLE NEAR UNTO HIM .

 

EVENING DEVOTIONS by James Smith

FEBRUARY 1

Psalm 148:14

 

He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise 

of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, 

a people near unto him. Praise ye the LORD. -

 
Jesus took our nature, 

   and became one with us, 

      thus he is near unto us; 

         he gives us his Holy Spirit,

             brings us into union with himself, and 

                 we are near to him. 

This is our highest honour, an unfailing source of happiness and peace.
 
We are near to him in point of relation, being his children: 

near to him in point of affection, being loved with an everlasting love: 

we are near to him in the point of union, 

   being members of his body,

   of his flesh, and 

        of his bones: 

we are near to him in point of fellowship, 

walking with him as a man walketh with his friend: 

we are near to him in point of attention, being the objects of his 

   daily,     hourly,    tender care; 

we shall soon be near to him in point of locality, 

when our mansion is prepared, for we shall depart to be with Christ, 

which is far better.
 
We are near to him though poor, when deeply tried, 

if ever nearer one time than another, 

we shall be nearest to him in death.
 
If we are near unto him, he will sympathise 

  with us in all our sorrows; 

  assist us in all our trials; 

  protect us in all our dangers; 

  hold intercourse with us in all seasons of necessity; and 

  honourably introduce us to glory.
 

And am I near to God,

His friend, his child, his care?

O may I walk with him in love,

By faith and fervent pray’r!

 
James Smith
 

THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH .

 

EVENING DEVOTIONS by James Smith

JANUARY 31

 

Nehemiah 8:10

Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and

drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom

nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord:

neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

 
 
Fear and sorrow naturally weaken us, but faith and joy give us strength.
 
Joy is the cordial of the soul; it quickens, enlivens, emboldens, and makes us strong. Our Heavenly Father is called, “The blessed, or THE HAPPY God.”
 
He is also the happy-making God.
 
He loves to see his people happy, therefore, as the God of all comfort, he has made great provision for our happiness.
 
There are wells of salvation, and we should draw from them with joy.
 
There is an inexhaustible fulness in Jesus, and from that fulness we should receive, for every want, for every duty, for every trial.
 
We cannot apply to it too often, we cannot go to it for too much.
 
Hear our beloved Lord, “ Ask and receive, that your joy may be full.”
 
It is only as we live out of self, upon Jesus; above the world in the region of God’s free, that we can be happy.
 
The happy Christian is the strong Christian, and it is the strong Christian that brings much glory to God, much credit to his cause, and does much good in the world.
 
It is as much our duty to be happy, as to be holy, both are recommended.

 

Rejoice evermore

In the truth and the power,

And the grace of your heavenly Friend,

‘Till to us who believe

He his glory doth give,

And a kingdom that shall never end.

 
James Smith
 

AND WE KNOW THAT WE ARE OF GOD ,

 

EVENING DEVOTIONS BY James Smith

JANUARY 30

 

I John 5:19

And we know that we are of God, and

the whole world lieth in wickedness.

 
What an honour!
 
What a comfort is this!
 
Yes, we are of God, created anew in Christ Jesus, by the power and agency of the Holy Spirit.
 
Consecrated to his service and glory, by the death of our great High Priest, and the sprinkling of his blood upon us.
 
Set apart in his eternal purpose for his praise, and now brought into holy and profitable relation to him. We were rebels against him, we are now his willing servants.
 
We were his avowed enemies, we are now the children of his love.
 
We know that we are of God,
  by faith in his word—
  by love to his saints—
  by sympathy with himself—
  by the grief we feel when we sin—
  by our pleasure in obeying his will—
  by the contrast there is between us and the world,
in our principles, pleasures, and pursuits.
 
What we are, as distinguished from others, is of God;
   being thus distinguished, we are peculiarly the Lord’s:
      his property, his treasure, his portion, his delight.
 
What an outstanding fact!
 
We are the Lord’s. The grace that made us so must be free and infinite.
 

O Lord, be daily near my heart,

And let my spirit feel thee near;

Then willingly with all I’d part,

Nor count it worthy of a tear.

 
James Smith